A Europe that is home to an indigenous Muslim population, that is too often forgotten, or worse, deliberately ignored.

Each of the countries is home to sizeable Muslim populations – communities that were first established centuries ago, during the reign of the Ottomans.And paints a more subtle and differentiated picture of the different strands of Islam which I for one wasn’t aware of. Drawing on the wisdom of the Qur'an, the pages in this book share insightful words and guidance from a wide range of Muslim figures from Rabia through to Hafez, offering a place for spiritual growth as you deepen your connection to Allah and enhance your worship and devotion. Why for example is he eating pide on his first night in Sarajevo, and getting disappointed that it’s not as good as the one he had in Turkey?

It's never really a good sign when someone writing a memoir -- who is not a literary author exposing the foibles of humanity through their own self -- makes you think, "oh lord, if I were his teenage daughter on this trip with him, I too would be sooo embarrassed! Even if the West does not accept Muslims anytime soon, Tharik believes it is important for Muslims to at least know their own history. This is one of my favorite non-fiction reads from last month, as Hussain's account makes for a riveting read, especially if you're familiar with the countries he visited. I’ve always been a keen traveller, though, so it immediately piqued my interest and I found myself completely absorbed by it. Through travel’s most talented storytellers, you’ll face adversity along the Congo’s raging River Lulua, make new friends aboard Iraq’s night train, and embark on life-changing pilgrimages from India to Saudi Arabia.The book has made me want to explore these countries myself, so I thank the author for that motivation. I loved that he not only wrote about the structures of the buildings they visited, but also the history (and even legends) of the place.

Discover the meaning of serenity on Ko Yao Islands, explore exotic rainforests in Khao Sok, and dance until sunrise on Ko Pha-Ngan; all with your trusted travel companion. Some nice bridges, some random acts of kindness, some interesting insights into the Balkan war in Bosnia in particular, a smattering of Ottoman history (though categorised by place, it tended to lack flow and blend into itself after a while), and a couple of places I’d like to visit. Tharik has written about his travels exploring Muslim culture and heritage across the globe for many of the world’s leading media brands and is the author of several travel guides for Lonely Planet, including Saudi Arabia (shortlisted for a Travel Media Award), Bahrain and Thailand.Encountering blonde-haired, blue-eyed Muslims, visiting mystical Islamic lodges clinging to the side of mountains, and praying in mosques older than the Sistine Chapel, he paints a picture of a hidden Muslim Europe, a vibrant place with a breathtaking history, spellbinding culture and unique identity.